I LOVE that it's lasted a WHOLE YEAR. . . here's to keeping this kind of magic alive!

WHOA ... What a year it has been! Hard to believe how far we have all come over the past year.

Thanks to all for your wonderful contributions to true positivity and the enjoyment of life. This thread would be nothing without all of you sharing your joys, ups and downs, recoveries, loves, new, old and rekindled, your adventures, and your kindness.

Thanks for this thread, Leggs. I'm indebted to you my online friend. There was a point this summer where walking into traffic didn't sound half bad. L. was there for me, though I've never met her.

Sullly, you have been a priceless friend to me ... and I suspect we will meet each other sooner than later! Thank you for being such a quality person in my life.
(How I wish I could transport you over here!)

Today was the best day. I started off by driving through Big Sur. I got an early start - I woke up in San Simeon this morning - so I had the entire Coast Highway all to myself. ( the last thing you want on a scenic road is to have to follow a rented motor home while staring at its bumper for an hour ) The fog was lifting, and the views were tremendous. I had two outstanding Mexican meals, one in Santa Cruz, the next one here in Scotts Valley, at some small joint next to the Best Western ( which is where I'm holed up right now ).

I got to spend some time hanging around the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, waiting for the wind to come up ( which it did, just as forecasted ). Got some photos I'm satisfied with, and I met some interesting people ( like the drone guy shooting aerial video of the West Coast for a project he has working )

Tomorrow can't get here soon enough for me, because tomorrow has potential to be even better.

I woke at 1:30am yesterday (today?) with thoughts and memories of caring for my mother at age 12 while in-home hospice was in place... my grandma, when she was dying and I cared for her, asked me if hospice "was nice to mom"? I said "Yes"... they loved mom as their own. Grandma would pass a week later of the same cancer my mom had, in-home hospice in place, peacefully, family by her side.

While doing a production, I went home between performances to care for my Aunt Ruthie, my second mom, an RN, who was at the end stages of life... I did not sleep, I did not eat... I stayed with her. One week later, after I arrived home just to fulfill my commitment to my theater contract, I would call home, at the exact time my auntie passed, sitting quietly on the phone while it happened.
I remember that day vividly. I simply got up from my desk, walked outside and called my Uncle.... the moment I called was the moment it was happening. My Tia was letting go... free of pain... full of love.